Guiding Principles

Since 1975, our work has held fast to these core guiding principles:

Everyday people can be a powerful force for justice. People most directly impacted by an issue should be in the driver’s seat, making decisions and taking leadership roles.

We get things done on tough issues by being strategic, action-oriented and persistent, and by dealing directly with decision-makers.

We use people power to get things done and achieve a more just and democratic society.

We always have something to learn. We’re open to new ideas and new ways of doing things.

Standing with others, fighting for justice can make us smile, laugh and feel good.

Our Mission:

To empower and unite grassroots people of all ethnic backgrounds to take control of their communities; involve them in identifying problems and needs and in taking action to address them; and be a vehicle for social, economic, and environmental justice.

Our Vision

We envision a just world in which:

The rich diversity of our world and its people are respected.

All people can expect to live a life free from discrimination and to be treated fairly.

Everyday people participate in decisions about the communities in which they live and work, invigorating our democratic processes and ensuring public policy reflects the common good.

All people who contribute to our nation’s prosperity benefit from it.

Our immigration system is reformed allowing people the opportunity to arrive in the country legally and to receive equal protection.

Everyone has a safe neighborhood, affordable healthcare, quality education and a living wage.

Everyone has access to fair and affordable credit and can achieve the dream of home ownership if they desire.

All citizens and corporations are good stewards of our environment.

Air and water quality are given rights for current and future generations.

People and the environment are not exploited in the interest of corporate profits.

We fight for justice on the ground with thousands of Iowans every year. Sign up for our weekly newsletter for ways to take action to stop factory farms, clean up Iowa’s water, end racially-biased policing tactics and anti-immigrant legislation, win back Iowa’s Medicaid program, and build the movement for single payer healthcare.

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